Frequently Asked Questions

Skydive Perris is conveniently located at 2091 Goetz Road, Perris, CA 92570. By car, we’re only a half hour from Riverside, an hour give or take from Los Angeles, and about 75 minutes from San Diego, and Long Beach. Be mindful when mapping your driving route to the dropzone if you’re coming from the South – Google Maps will steer you wrong right when you’re almost here!

We’re also easily accessible by Metrolink and the Temecula Air Shuttle.

Skydive Perris is in sunny California – we’re open seven days a week, year round, closing only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. (Weather permitting, of course.)

Monday through Friday, we’re open from 8:30 a.m. until the jumping day is done or until sunset, whichever comes first! On weekdays, the first load will be after 9:00 a.m. and we send at least one load an hour.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, we skydive from 8:00 a.m. to jumping’s done/sunset. Loads can go as early as 7:00 a.m. depending on the time of the year.

Our on-site wind tunnel is open year round, Friday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Monday through Thursday.

Directions from Los Angeles

• Go South on 101 from North Main Street (0.5 miles)
• Merge onto US-101 South/Santa Ana Freeway South (0.8 miles)
• Keep right to take US-101 South/Santa Ana Freeway South toward I-5 South/CA-60 East (1.41 miles)
• Merge onto CA-60 East/Pomona Freeway East toward Pomona (24.94 miles)
• Keep left to take I-215 South/CA-60 East/Escondido Freeway South/Moreno Valley Freeway East toward Pomona/Riverside (32.31 miles)
• Keep right to take I-215 South/Escondido Freeway South toward San Diego (15.56 miles)
• Take the Ethanac Road exit, EXIT 14 (0.29 miles)
• Turn right onto Ethanac Road (1.89 miles)
• Turn right onto Goetz Road (1.31 miles)
• Skydive Perris is located at Perris Valley Airport-L65 at 2091 Goetz Road

Directions from San Diego

• Head East on Broadway towards Broadway (0.4 miles)
• Turn left onto 11th Avenue (0.3 miles)
• Keep left to continue on CA-163 North, follow signs for Escondido (7.1 miles)
• Use the left lanes to turn slightly left to stay on CA-163 North (4.0 miles)
• Merge onto I-15 North (50.6 miles)
• Keep right at the fork to continue on I-215 North, follow signs for Riverside/San Bernardino (13.9 miles)
• Take Exit 14 for Ethanac Road (0.3 miles)
• Turn left onto Ethanac Road (2.0 miles)
• Turn Right onto Goetz Road (1.4 miles)
• Skydive Perris is located at Perris Valley Airport- L-65

Note: DO NOT turn right on Mapes Road. Keep going 1/2 mile until you reach the Skydive Perris main entrance at 2091 Goetz Road.

Yes. The Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line trains operate Monday through Friday, stopping at Perris South and Perris Downtown stations – both about two miles from the dropzone. Weekend service is limited.

Yes, the Temecula Air Shuttle. They operate private and rideshare shuttle service to and from regional airports in Southern California, including LAX, San Diego (SAN), Ontario (ONT), John Wayne (SNA), and Cross Border Xpress (CBX). Be sure to check availability with Temecula Air Shuttle within five days of your trip.

Absolutely! The more the merrier. Skydive Perris is one of the largest skydiving centers in the world – there’s plenty of room to spread out, and lots of amenities to enjoy.

We have an excellent on-site restaurant called The Bombshelter that’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and celebratory drinks. Remember – anyone making a skydive must wait until after they land to drink alcohol.

We even have a swimming pool! Encourage your guests to pack their swimsuits and towels (you too!) and lounge by the pool while enjoying a fantastic view of the landing area. Individuals under age 16 must be supervised at all times.

Dogs are not allowed on the dropzone for safety reasons. If you or a member of your hype crew are supported by a service dog, please let us know ahead of time.

The Skydive Perris restaurant and bar – The Bombshelter – serves delicious food and ice-cold beverages seven days a week, and hosts a number of great events. The restaurant overlooks the pool, offers outdoor dining, and guarantees a clear line of sight to the landing area.

Hours of Operation

• Monday – Thursday: 8am to 8pm
• Friday: 8am to 11pm
• Saturday: 7am to Midnight
• Sunday: 7am to 8pm
• First Sunday, Monthly: Car & Airplane Show 4pm to 7pm

Remember – anyone making a skydive must wait until after they land to drink alcohol.

Yes – parking is free and, unless we’re hosting an event, plentiful. Don’t grab the first spot you see or you’ll have a bit of a walk to the skydiving school. Keep driving and park somewhere near the end.

Unlike a lot of programs, you do not have to make a tandem skydive before enrolling in the Perris Skydiving Program.

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) mandates that you must be at least 18 years of age to skydive. Bring your valid, government-issued photo ID with you to the dropzone (driver’s license or passport). No ID, no jump. Consent from a parent or guardian is not acceptable in lieu of ID. There is no upper age limit.

To learn to skydive at Skydive Perris, the weight limit is 240 lbs. There are no exceptions and you will be weighed when you arrive. Skydiving weight limits are not intended to be exclusive or discriminatory. Limits are enforced for your safety and comfort. PSP students must be height to weight proportionate.

If you have ear or sinus problems, a seizure disorder, diabetes, fainting spells, heart issues, prior shoulder dislocation or neck/back pain, you may not be a candidate for the Perris Skydiving Program. If you have any concerns, please see your doctor before enrolling in the PSP. Some conditions may require a doctor’s note.

Note, you should not learn to skydive while pregnant.

Potentially – we have highly-skilled instructors who regularly teach people with a variety of disabilities how to skydive. Everybody is different; please call us directly or email our School team to discuss your particular abilities. Safety takes precedence, always.

It is critical for you and your jumpmasters and coaches to communicate without issue. A number of our instructors speak languages other than English, but please do not assume your language will be represented at the dropzone throughout all 18 levels of your PSP course. In most cases, a strong understanding of written and spoken English will be required to learn to skydive at Skydive Perris. Please contact us with specific language questions.

The Perris Skydiving Program encompasses 18 levels of instructor-led, scaffolded instruction, divided into two parts. Each level builds on the skills and knowledge of the last, with students progressing through the program only after demonstrating mastery of specific learning objectives. For complete program details, download the PSP Syllabus.

Part 1: PSP Level 1

Online* & On-Site Training

You must successfully complete PSP Level 1 before you can enroll in A License Training

Part 2: A License Training

PSP Levels 2-18, Solo Jumps, Packing Class

Includes 20 mins of coached tunnel time; option for free additional coaching with solo jumps.

By program conclusion, you will possess the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to not only earn your United States Parachute Association (USPA) A License, but to also be a competent, confident skydiver.

* Online learning not your thing? We offer in-person-only classes by request – call us!

Skydive Perris has been teaching people how to skydive for more than 40 years. We offer a portion of the First Jump Course online because we know providing foundational information:

• Minimizes overwhelm

A new environment and new people, knowing the first jump is imminent, can be stressful!

• Builds confidence

You begin your skydiving training, feeling informed and prepared.

• Empowers autonomy

Watch from wherever, whenever at your own pace; pause and rewatch as necessary.

• Appeals to different learning styles

Online learning caters to visual as well as auditory learners.

• Bolsters comprehension; fosters information retention

Shorter learning segments are preferable to a day-long class.

• Instills best practices

You begin with a foundation that’s relevant throughout your skydiving career.

• Establishes sense of responsibility and accountability

Within 30 days of the FJC Online, students must begin the FJC On-Site.

• Inspires engagement

You begin on-site learning with context and baseline knowledge from which to build.

The Online FJC is accessible for 30 days and must be completed in this time frame. You can complete the course sooner and keep your 30-day access. You have 30 days from completion of your final online exam to begin your in-person practical.

Note: You must be at least 18 years of age on the first day of your in-person training.

Online learning not your thing? We offer in-person-only classes by request – call us!

Simulated skydiving is an extremely effective way to practice freefall flying skills – experienced and professional skydivers, and even Navy SEALS, train in the tunnel! It’s an invaluable training opportunity for our students!

• Accelerated practical training

One minute in the tunnel is equivalent to one skydive. PSP includes 20 minutes!

• Streamlined progression

Practice essential maneuvers without the added logistics of jumping from an airplane.

• Accessible resource

Skydive Perris is one of the few dropzones in the world with an on-site wind tunnel.

As detailed in the PSP Syllabus, at Skydive Perris we start you on canopy drills from PSP Level 1. Every level has a canopy control objective. This is because comfortably and confidently piloting your canopy is critical to your success as a skydiver. Run-of-the-mill learn to skydive programs disproportionately focus on freefall skills.

Our large landing area provides you with a great space to learn and practice.

Standard training programs, like Accelerated Freefall (AFF), deliver the bare minimum required by the United States Parachute Association (USPA): perform 25 jumps; demonstrate A-License proficiency; register with the USPA. Fledgling skydivers are then set loose to practice and progress on their own.

At Skydive Perris, we believe more than the bare minimum is required to be a responsible and accountable skydiver. There is a great deal to remember and to commit to muscle memory to make the quick decisions that come with our sport.

In addition to the requisite 25 jumps – 18 of which are supervised by a USPA-certified AFF instructor – PSP students receive 20 minutes of coached, simulated freefall in our on-site wind tunnel. Every minute in a wind tunnel is equivalent to a skydive, so PSP students receive the equivalent of 20 additional skydives!

We also build canopy piloting skills into every level of our curriculum. Some don’t even start focusing on their canopy skills until they begin working towards their USPA B License (50 jumps); we start from your very first flight.

More instruction and more hands-on practice puts a more confident and competent skydiver in the air.

We stand firm in our belief that AFF builds students, PSP builds skydivers. Which program is right for you?

As a PSP student, you are empowered to work at your own pace, maintaining your progression as long as you remain current. Staying current means jumping at least once every 30 days. Some students complete the curriculum in as few as two weeks, others take the better part of a year.

The amount of time it takes to complete the PSP and obtain the A License is typically contingent on weather, instructor availability, your ability to progress without repeating levels, your personal stamina, and the availability of time and funds.

Learning how to skydive begins with PSP Level 1, which includes the First Jump Course (FJC) and your first accompanied skydive. At Skydive Perris, FJC training consists of two components: an online portion and an on-site practical class. You are not required to make a tandem skydive before enrolling in the Perris Skydiving Program.

Step 1

• Enroll in online training
• Complete engaging modules and quizzes
• Get to the DZ prepared to ace on-site training
• You have 30 days from date of purchase to complete the online FJC

Step 2

• Enroll in on-site training (available after completing the online FJC)
• Perform the hands-on portion of the FJC
• Jump with 2 USPA-certified AFF instructors
• You have 30 days from date of online course conclusion to complete on-site training

Gear is provided for students in PSP Levels 1-18; after that, you will have to rent gear from our on-site store, Gold State Gear. Gold State Gear is conveniently located on the dropzone and has excellent rental and purchase options.

After you complete PSP Levels 1-18, you can opt in to free coaching! Highly skilled USPA-rated coaches are available to help our PSP graduates further their skydiving education and knowledge. They take video and conduct video debriefs to aid in your proficiency and growth.

Just sign up on the white board in the Perris Load Organizers room and one of our world-class coaches will connect with you. You can also ask manifest to point you to the organizer of the day.

Your total cost will depend on whether you pass individual levels first-time or if you need to repeat levels, whether or not you stay current, and depending on the number of gear rentals and pack jobs you opt into.

Gear and pack jobs are included in the price of your training through PSP Level 10. You are responsible for gear rental and pack jobs for Levels 11 through 18, for your solo jumps, and for your packing class. Gear is available to rent from Gold State Gear Store, conveniently located at the Skydive Perris dropzone.

As a skydiving student, you are required to become a member of the United States Parachute Association (USPA). You will also have to pay an A License application fee to the USPA.

See the Learn To Skydive pricing page for detailed tuition breakdown and the associated costs of your training.

Learning how to skydive is an expensive endeavor at any dropzone, but prices do vary. There are a number of additional elements that go into determining the cost of skydiving training. In short: you get what you pay for.

As in everything we do at Skydive Perris, our skydiving training program is a bit different. We aren’t churning out A License candidates; we approach instruction from numerous angles in order to develop well-rounded skydivers.

Perris Skydiving Program students:

• Complete ground school (online and on-site instruction)
• Experience 20 minutes of coached tunnel time (equivalent to 20 jumps)
• Perform 18 jumps supervised by Certified AFF Instructor
• Perform 7 solo jumps
• Receive additional free coaching (optional)
• Extend the learning experience with video debriefs
• Complete a packing class

At Skydive Perris, we don’t cut any corners; safety is our number one priority. We own and maintain all of our aircraft, engage only highly experienced and top-rated instructors, and employ best-in-class staff. Our dropzone is world renowned for our level of expertise, standards of excellence, exemplary customer service, and phenomenal amenities.

Yes – you can save $251 on your A License training by paying in advance. A License training encompasses PSP Levels 2-18, solo jumps, and a packing class.

You begin your A License training after completing PSP Level 1, which includes the online and on-site First Jump Course (FJC) and your first accompanied skydive.

PSP Level 1 includes the online and on-site First Jump Course (FJC) and your first accompanied skydive. You must pay in full for the online portion of the FJC and, once completed, pay a $50 deposit to enroll in the on-site FJC and complete your first accompanied skydive.

See the Learn To Skydive pricing page for detailed tuition breakdown and the associated costs of your training.

The Perris Skydiving Program is “pay as you go.” However, you can save money on your A License training by paying in advance. A License training encompasses PSP Levels 2-18, solo jumps, and a packing class. All A License Package payments are non-refundable.

We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Note that there is a nominal convenience fee added to credit card sales. No checks, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, CashApp etc. accepted.

No — there is no extra cost for Phase II Coaching with our world-class load organizers!

We are unable to skydive if it is too cloudy, raining, or if we are experiencing high winds, but ground school and tunnel training can typically continue as scheduled regardless of the forecast. If you are concerned about the weather, please call the skydiving school or our on-site wind tunnel before heading out to the dropzone.

Tipping is never expected, but it is always appreciated. Another great way to show your training team some love is to give them and the dropzone a glowing, 5-star review online!

We offer gift cards for any services at Skydive Perris – including indoor skydiving, tandem skydiving, the Adrenal-IN Experience, media packages, and the Perris Skydiving Program.

• Indoor skydiving gift certificates start at $25 – click here to purchase. 
• Outdoor skydiving gift certificates start at $50 – click here to purchase.

Some Perris Skydiving Program gift ideas include:

• PSP First Jump Course (Preparatory ground school and a real jump accompanied by two jumpmasters.)

• PSP Tunnel Time (Students get 20 minutes of wind tunnel training – equivalent to 20 skydivers!)

• PSP Training Jumps (Fund your loved one’s progression – they make 18 instructor-supervised jumps.)

• PSP Packing Class (An essential skill for every skydiver – a comprehensive parachute packing class.)

• PSP Solo Jumps (Help them complete their training! After solos, they can apply for their A License!)

No – the monetary value of our gift certificates never expires. Gift certificates are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Like all extreme sports, skydiving has inherent risks. At Skydive Perris, we mitigate the risks associated with the sport by meticulously maintaining our fleet of aircraft, using state-of-the-art gear and equipment, requiring training of the highest caliber, and engaging only highly experienced and rated skydiving instructors. We strictly adhere to a drug testing program for all of our instructors, pilots, mechanics, videographers and packers.

As demonstrated by our impeccable safety record, safety is our top priority.

At Skydive Perris, we have some of the best jumpmasters and coaches in the industry – not only because we treat our team members well, but also because Skydive Perris is a phenomenal dropzone to call home.

For Levels 1 through 18, PSP students jump with one or two certified AFF instructors who:

• Have current USPA membership
• Hold a USPA C-License
• Hold a USPA Coach Rating (if earned <12 months previously, must have 500+ jumps)
• Log at least 6 hours of freefall time

It is very unusual for someone to pass out during a skydive, but it can happen. In the event you are not able to manually deploy your parachute and your instructor cannot reach you, the Automatic Activation Device (AAD) will automatically deploy your reserve parachute. At Skydive Perris, all student rigs are fitted with an AAD, which is inspected during every gear check, before every jump.

All skydiving rigs are equipped with two parachutes: a main parachute and a reserve parachute. As part of your skydiving training, you will learn what to do if there’s an issue with the main parachute and need to deploy the reserve. In the event you are not able to manually deploy your parachute, the Automatic Activation Device (AAD) will automatically deploy the reserve parachute.

Every skydiving rig at Skydive Perris is equipped with a MARD (Manual Assisted Reserve Deployment) system and an Automatic Activation Device (AAD).

Should you manually cutaway the main canopy, the MARD aids in swift deployment of your reserve parachute.

Should you fail to manually pull the parachute ripcord by a specific altitude, the AAD will automatically deploy the reserve.

Once you’ve successfully completed your packing class, you can! If you are not ready to or just don’t want to, we have full-time, FAA-certified riggers on staff who you can hire to pack your main for you.

Reserve parachutes are packed by FAA-certified riggers who have received certification from the FAA to inspect, pack, and repair parachutes. Every reserve parachute is inspected and repacked every 180 days whether they are used or not. Connect with the Expanding Horizons team for all of your rigging needs!

PSP students jump from 12,500 feet above ground level – granting about 60 seconds of freefall.

Freefall is typically about 120 miles per hour when flying in a belly-to-earth orientation. A person’s weight or body position can alter the rate of descent. Freefalling in a head-down orientation, for example, will make you fall much faster.

Once you’re under an open parachute, you will quickly slow to about 10 miles per hour.

Absolutely! People tend to hold their breath in moments of fear, so while it may feel like you cannot breathe while skydiving, it’s more that you are not breathing! Relax and breathe normally. If that feels difficult to do, scream – you have to take a big, deep breath to let out a triumphant yell! Another tip is to keep your eyes on the horizon instead of to the ground. Doing so allows the rushing air flow around your face instead of blasting your nose and mouth!

Modern parachutes are sophisticated and are designed to open in stages. Typically, parachute deployment does not hurt; it’s on par with braking hard in a car.

We use only modern “square” parachutes at Skydive Perris that allow for excellent maneuverability. You’ll probably practice the Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) at first, but in no time you’ll master the art of a stand-up landing.